Crash victim ‘serious’

September 22, 2012

An Altamonte Springs man's hospital condition has been downgraded since a truck struck the vehicle in which he was riding more than one month ago.

As of Friday, Robert Caperton, 37, of 440 Oakhurst St., had slipped into serious condition at Lee Memorial Hospital, according to staff. The driver, Anthony James Bailey, 37, of 2354 N.E. 43rd Lane, had been discharged.

At about 5:47 p.m. Aug. 9, the Fort Myers police responded to a crash at Palm Beach Boulevard, near Marion Street. Bailey was driving a Mazda Miata eastbound on Palm when he lost control of the car, according to a report.

The Miata drove over the raised median and into incoming traffic. A Chevy Silverado truck, driven by Amy Renee Ayers, 31, of 17771 Well Road, North Fort Myers, was headed westbound when it hit the Miata's passenger side.

According to the report, Bailey and Caperton were wearing seat belts. Both of the men were transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

No one else was taken to the hospital. Both vehicles were towed. Bailey was found to be at fault in the crash for operating his vehicle in a careless manner and crossing the center divider, the report states.

Alcohol is suspected to have been a contributing factor; a test was administered.